indoor cats

[Bloo]

I do understand people who let cats out that would not use the litter box and that would spray (if they are neutered) if they are strickly indoors. But I don't understand with people who have never tried to teach their cats to use the litter boxes or not to be spraying.

Agree very much with what you are saying. Though I am one of those people who had a cat that absolutely no way under the sun would live indoors. The problem stemmed from the fact that he was a Bengal (the one in my avatar) and as they are a relatively newly domesticated breed, the hunter instinct runs incredibly deep through their veins.

However, I'd also like to point out that neutered cats (male and female) can very much spray too. Many people tend to think only un-neutered males spray.

He destroyed my flat - and I really do mean destroyed as in clawed doors, sprayed walls and carpets, shredded carpets and wrecked any ornament he could possibly wreck in his anger. Even though he had the most wonderful personality and was a real cuddle cat. But all he wanted was OUT. I spoke to many feline behaviourists and tried so many techniques, but to no avail. The situation just got worse and worse to the point where I HAD to rehome him. In the end I flew him to my mom in South Africa where he could have unrestricted access outdoors - because the situation became too critical and I had to move quick. Once there with day time out door access, he totally relaxed and was a completely different and chilled out cat.

I think when people want an indoor cat, they have to be considerate as to the breed they choose (if pedigree) and if they choose a moggie from a rescue centre as an adult, then choose one that's used to indoor living (obviously if history is available). Far easier and less stressful than trying to "convert" and also generally far easier to train a kitten from a very young age.

 

[MegTheFish]

Both my cats were born outside, and had never been inside until we brought them home 7 years ago. We tried to keep them inside, but our male would destroy the house, and our female would meow at the door for hours on end (BTW, they are both fixed). So in the end we let them outside, Cuddles (female) stays near the house but Frisky (male) tends to wander and he's been missing for up to 2 weeks before, he goes down into the bush by the creek and "camps" out there for some reasen, LoL. I guess he likes the menu- small rodents and birds . I worry about them a lot, and when I move out and get my own cat(s) I'll defently try to keep them inside. So far they haven't gotten into any major fights (with other cats), haven't got fleas or ticks, and haven't been hit by a car so I guess they are very lucky cats.

 

[Seahorse]

I agree Bloozoo.


My cat is at least half persian, and a very smart boy indeed. He had never seen the light of day though (previous owners), until I brought him on his first romp outside on his leash (he was fine with it right from the start!). When he realized, hmm this grass tastes good, and ooh it feels nice stretching my paws on the tree, and ahh I love rolling in this dirt, his taste of freedom led him to meowing everynight by the door

Eventually he carried his leash to me in his mouth He knows better than to try and escape, so he sits there idly looking at me pitifully until I bring him out for a bit.

The kitten, even though he is fixed, is constantly waiting to get outside, and is more often than not, successful. Rather annoying, but he'll get over it.

 

[OrkyBetta]

Hmm, this is getting interesting. My cats are much the same way, they will destroy everything in their path if they are in too long. A day or so they can handle, but after that, they will make our lives miserable.

And about the declawing, I cryed when my parents got my cats declawed. We rescued them from basically being out down at the shelter because they had too many cats, but my parents said it was declaw them, or we can't keep them. I still said I would buy those nail cap things, but they had it done anyways. It doesn't seem to bother them much though, fortunately. Marmalade can still find ways to climb trees, catch something nearly every day, etc.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

in my state at least, the country roads are far more poorly lit, curvy, and full of speed-demons than those in the 'burbs or the city. if i lived in the country, i would never own an outdoor cat because of the dangers of speeding cars, mean-spirited kids, roaming predators, and the various traps/poisons put out by livestock owners. my parents live in suburbia and we have indoor cats for some of the same reasons, but mostly the concern is about run-ins with dogs (our neighborhood is full of them!) but i understand that everyone's region is different.

my one objection to fully outdoor cats is allowing complete toms and queens to run loose. i find that the apex of irresponsibility, especially allowing un-spayed males to just run wild. while just a nuisance in most areas, stray cat populations actually pose significant problems in areas with specialized ecosystems such as Alaska (as opcn will explain at length) where there is no equivalently sized/equipped predator native to the region. but even where stray cats do not disrupt the environment, it is unfair to continue contributing to the problem of supposedly domesticated animals with no home and no hope of a home. feral cats are just incredibly vunerable.

my small college town is just swarming with feral cats. its really a worst-case scenario here. very few people "splurge" to fix their cute first kitten, very few people keep their cats fully indoors, and many people abandon their animals when they graduate or move to a no-pets apartment. for every kind-hearted person who tries to redomesticate or even just feed them, there's a jack*** who thinks its funny to abuse, mutilate or kill cats. i've actually been in a car with a (now former) friend who swerved out of his lane in an attempt to run over a cat. let's just say that didn't go over too well with me. stupid freshmen cat-haters don't care that a cat might belong to someone who loves it; they aren't thinking about saving small critters or birds; they don't even care if they're disrupting a federally-sponsored academic investigation. they just want to hit the cat with the beer bottle, shoot the kittens with the bb-gun and put drain cleaner in the cat food because there's no one here to stop them. i personally would never allow my kitties to be outside and out of my sight here--there's just too much a risk of something hurting them.

i think that's really my point. you have to evaluate what risks are there for your kitty in your area. and so long as you aren't contributing to the feral cat problem by allowing sexually-active cats to roam free, i can't condemn you for your choices.

 

[SarahBravo]

I agree that everyone's choice is their own - dependent on their cat, their location and the risks around them. i have 2 female cats, both neutered, both fully up to date with vaccinations, worming and defleaing. I'm in a rented house so I can't have a cat door, so I leave a window open for them day and night. Apart from the fact that it gets blinkin' cold sometimes, this works very well for me. the cats hop in and out as they want, there are no litter trays indoors, and my road is a cul de sac in a quiet area of town, so it's pretty quiet. There is a huge cat population in the neighbourhood, so lots of playmates and most people are cat people. There are also quite a few dogs, but they are kept in gardens - I've never seen a dog running loose here.

My cats seem to love their life. They pretend they're tigers and stalk moths in the long grass, they sit up on the fence and get the wind in their whiskers..... and mostly by 10pm they're curled up on my bed taking up all the room so i have to sleep sideways across the pillows......

I accept that there are risks to them, but my choice for my cats is to accept that risk and give them some freedom which they obviously enjoy.

I disagree with declawing (as said previously it's illegal here) but that's another debate! I think as responsible cat owners it's your own responsibility to make the decision that's best for you and your cat. Who am I to tell you what's best for you?

 

[Dweenus]

OrkyBetta, your situation sounds good. When I owned cats they were like yours!

 

[lilmisstrouble]

I agree that everyone's choice is their own - dependent on their cat, their location and the risks around them. I'm in a rented house so I can't have a cat door, so I leave a window open for them day and night. Apart from the fact that it gets blinkin' cold sometimes, this works very well for me. the cats hop in and out as they want. There is a huge cat population in the neighbourhood, so lots of playmates and most people are cat people. There are also quite a few dogs, but they are kept in gardens - I've never seen a dog running loose here.

My cats seem to love their life. They pretend they're tigers and stalk moths in the long grass, they sit up on the fence and get the wind in their whiskers..... and mostly by 10pm they're curled up on my bed taking up all the room so i have to sleep sideways across the pillows......

lol! I could have written that! totally agree.

 

[rykitten]

I'd have to disagree about the whole comparing our domestication with that of cats. Yes, we can get mugged, run over by cars, get in fights, but a cat has no way of being able to call the cops or get help from somebody. I know that when my friends see a cat fight all they do is laugh because they think it's funny. They don't do anything about and if a person were to get in a fight we wouldn't laugh, now would we?

I guess my point didn't come across as I intended it to. I used us humans because I thought it would be easiest for us to identify with (being human and all.) I was trying to point out that there are risks and dangers for all species. The world is a crazy place and there are so many factors we cannot control.

A cat can run home, run up a tree, scream or fight back. No, a cat can't call the cops or get help from a person. The animal world has it's own way of handling things. As for getting hit by a car . . . it sucks. But I've also had friends that have died in car accidents. How does that saying go? Oh yea, $hi! happens.

I wouldn't laugh if I saw two people fighting but in response to your question, many people would. Or just walk away and do nothing to avoid a possible situation.

Having said that, I respect when a person decides to keep their cat indoors. If they feel like they are protecting their pet by doing so, good on them. My best friend has two cats she keeps inside her studio apartment. They are skittish, moody and terrified of strangers but at least they are safe from danger and that makes her feel good.

 

[Bloo]

My best friend has two cats she keeps inside her studio apartment. They are skittish, moody and terrified of strangers but at least they are safe from danger and that makes her feel good.

It sounds like you are saying that with a wry bitterness. Which I can totally understand if you feel they would have a better life outside. However do remember that some cats are exactly just like that - whether in or out-doors. And do understand that many cats love their indoor life and if that's what they are used to and grew up with, that's what they are content with.
Not all - but most.

My indoor cat is the most lovable gregarious old and new visitors alike lover. He's always first to greet and purr to whoever comes into the house.

Sarah, if I could I would and it sounds like your cats are fortunate that you live in an area where they are (relatively) safe and can have free access

 

[Paul_MTS]

I'ved already fought this topic in my topic when i first got Mitzi, 1 year ago now.

but i feel that cats belong outside roaming the hedgerows and long grass for the diner! yes i can see why you keep pure bred expensive cats inside there not really built for the outside world.

but with your bog standard domestic cat they should be outdoor cats. Mitzi goes in and out as she pleases. the conservatory is her room which has a cat flap. She often runs by the same schedule though. meeting us in the morning, then at lunch, during the afternoon and evening then comes in and says goodnight when she will hang around to get fed.

she loves playing games outside, chucking balls around for her, playing in the long grass and trying to hunt mum down!!

I don't know what she would do without being able to go outside, she is constantly hunting, bringing back, moles, mice, voles, rabbits, and recently birds aswell.

 

[rykitten]

It sounds like you are saying that with a wry bitterness.

On point you are. One of her cats, the youngest, escapes on a regular basis. She is always right behind him ready to reprimand him for following his natural instincts. I've tried to discuss the issue with her but she just doesn't care. Maybe it's a control issue for her, I'm not sure.

I'm sure it's probably best to keep a cat indoors if you live in say, New York City. But we live in suburbia. A cat's dream. lol

 

[mm_simb]

I'm sure if I lived in the middle of no-where I would still not allow my indoor cats out.
bloozoo2: I know neutered cats can spray...I never said they didn't. I know a girl on another forum that has a male fixed cat who was made into a strickly indoor cat and he did have an UTI but that cleared. He would still spray no matter what she tried so finally she decided to make him an indoor/outdoor cat. Well, he hasnt sprayed again.
That's why I said...if the cat is neutered and nothing else can be done to stop the spraying or missing the litter box, I would make them into indoor/outdoor cats. Eitherway, having an unfixed or unvaccinated cat out in the street (wherever you live) is just irresponsible.

 

[BlueIce]

First let me start by saying I adore cats. I grew up in the country and all cats were either living out in the barns or indoor/outdoor cats.

But anyone who lives in town and leaves a cat out,is not only foolish ,but selfish and uncaring.
I now live in town...and I would estimate there are approx 30 cats running in my neighborhood. Cats that are killing off the birds,cats that are peeing on our porches and lawn furniture.Cats that are reproducing at an alarming rate.
It's pathetic ...your (that's a collective your,not specific) cats running free in a populated area are causing issues. Even if Your cat is innoculated,it still can spread disease .It is carried on the feet and noses of animals who have sniffed another sickly cat or feces etc...

As for allowing a declawed cat outdoors...why on earth would you? It has NO means of protecting itself against predators such as another cat or dog.
Unless you are with your declawed cat 100% of the time it is outdoors then you aren't being a responsible owner.

I can't for the life of me see why you would risk your cats life by allowing it loose in a town. Not only are there other cats and dogs,but there are cars and bully children ...
I for one can not wait til a law is passed that restricts cats roaming free in towns and cities.

 

[wrs]

I do understand people who let cats out that would not use the litter box and that would spray (if they are neutered) if they are strickly indoors. But I don't understand with people who have never tried to teach their cats to use the litter boxes or not to be spraying.

usually only out door male cats pray when brought it. When we were looking for out new kiten we went to see some at the vets offices and they all said that only males that live outside then brought in will spray after being neutered. Males that live inside will not.

and btw, you cant neuter a female, you spay it. And I have never herd of a female spraying before.